ROBERT ANIĆ/PIXSELL ROBERT INSTAGRAM* Spring in Zagreb’s step How do we know it’s spring in the city? When there are no free terrace spots for long sun-soaked coffee dates with friends – native Zagreb-style. Of course, there are al- ways other options, like laying in the park or strolling the streets. The official spring welcome comes late March, the annual Festival of Lights (find out more on Page 3). To catch more springtime fun across the city, read through the other pages of #ZagrebForYou’s spring edition. LIMITED EDITION FREE COPY MARCH/1PRIL 2019 * Agram German exonym its Austrian by outside Croatia known commonly more was Zagreb Keep in touch! Download your free copy and share: on Facebook on Instagram zagreb4you.com Z on Twitter infozagreb.hr ZAGREB’S SIGNATURE FIRST PLANE TREES MINUTE The first 220 were planted long ago, in 1872, creating What else if not coffee? Zrinjevac (aka Nikola Šubić Zrinski Square). The row Coffee culture is one of Za- of plane trees at Zrinjevac is one of Zagreb’s most greb’s top attractions, but popular and recognizable places, and planes have it takes a while to learn the since been a green space signature of Zagreb. The ropes. It’s an everyday ritual, last count puts their number at 8947. usually done at the same cafe. While there are more maple, birch and linden trees, the planes’ big crowns So start now. Check out the and characteristic trunk marks best-known coffee strips, Bo- make them stand out. The widest govićeva or Tkalčićeva streets, Zagreb plane, two meters in Flower square or Dežman diameter, stands at the crossing passage, and pick your haunt. of Selska street and Prilaz Now keep going there during Baruna Filipovića. your stay – and you’ve got it. WORD Svjetlo (Sv-ye-tloh) light, Licht. luz, lumière, luce The* Zagreb plane, known to botanists as Platanus x hispanica Münchh, is a North American and Asian hybrid. Planes have been planted since antiquity, and can live up to 2000 years. ZAGREB WHAT SUPERHEROES MONOVIEW WHERE Catch Zagreb WHEN through its štikleci THE GOURMET You created a unique FEAST IS HERE Zagreb souvenir. Why During the 18th Restau- postcards? "Sliver of rant Week (March 15–24), Zagreb" is a six-card treat yourself to a proper A DYNAMITE set that doubles as a feast without paying a SPRING FOR SOCCER FANS mini collection of štik- premium. A three-course Winter lasted half a century. Almost no leci, stories inspired by lunch/dinner comes one remembers that spring in 1970 real-life situations or at 100/125KN and the when Dinamo played Schalke. This was details from Zagreb’s choice of restaurants the last time Zagreb’s soccer club streets. At the same is dazzling. Prime your played springtime European matches. Lana Kovačević, time, the cards are clas- palate with a happy That is, until this generation and this journalist and author sic postcards which, spring – Dinamo is now in Europa of innovative hour cocktail in hotel postcard-souvenirs along with a personal bars across Zagreb. Use League’s final stages. Dinamo fans have fervently awaited spring, the message, contain a #TRklik for a chance to stadium is sold out, the bleachers are story from Zagreb. win a meal. booming, concerts and exhibitions are Each postcard has a code that users can scan @tjedanrestorana.com being organized, and a special Dinamo with a cellphone to reveal the exact location beer has been produced. Fingers and street they’re reading the story on, and A SNEAK PEAK crossed that the next time won’t be in so they themselves become a character in a INTO THE THEATER another half a century. štiklec. This code enables the set to become Croatian National The- @gnkdinamo.hr a tour – no guide and schedule required. So ater is one of Zagreb’s why exactly postcards? As a reminder of most iconic buildings. going back to basics… Peep into its intriguing How do tourists react to this souvenir history, hidden passag- and where can they find it? They love es and boxes during a them! The cards are available in English and special one-hour tour currently sold at Drinkoteka on Skalinska (March 30, 11am–3pm street. at every hour). Listen to Top five Zagreb souvenirs? I’d give the same the stories told by actors ANJA MUTIĆ answer for all five – the Šestine Umbrella. themselves. Get your writes for BBC Travel, the Washington The Šestine neighborhood’s motifs are the tickets at the box office Post and the New York Times. basis of Zagreb and I believe that through by March 29. Follow her at @everthenomad them, the city could promote and define a @hnk.hr recognizable and unique souvenir, which we don’t have yet. BOOT UP, The dos & don’ts For first-time city visitors, I recommend... BREATHE IN, RUN of spring Can I say – my postcards? :) But alright, if If you need a good they can’t make the list, then I recommend spring detox, outdoor love to witness Zagreb’s coffee. The coffee-drinking running is the name of Ichange of seasons, but partic- MY POSTCARDS ritual, which is above all an the game. Choose from ularly the shift in mood. When experience in Zagreb, is a the upcoming races: Mi- the sun comes out, it seems we ARE A UNIQUE chance to taste and listen nus Zwei Cener (8km) in all suddenly have fewer reasons PERSONAL to the city, its people, its Maksimir (April 6, 11am, to complain. Problems seem spirit… And then make info @utrka.com) and infinitely smaller when you’re EXPERIENCE, sure to visit Dolac Market, Hendrix half-marathon sipping your espresso under BUT ALSO A the house of Marija Jurić along the Sava (April 7, willow trees at a sidewalk café Zagorka, the entire Upper 11am, info @sljeme.run). bathed by sunshine. ZAGREB TOUR Town, the Grič Tunnel, the @sljeme.run). hrow in a little aromathera- British Square... Tpy into the mix, with cherry For everyone else, don’t DUST OFF YOUR (GRAND) blossoms, lilacs and magnolias miss... Ice cream at Vincek, MOTHER’S CLOTHES diffusing their sweet floral cock- štrukle (a cheesy pastry tail. Look around and notice the dish) on Skalinska Street, knedle (plum people at the surrounding tables dumplings) from Oktogon, beans from – jackets off, sunshades and Sljeme... And definitely a walk through smiles on, more laughter echoing Maksimir Park. down the streets. Spring in Zagreb is best... Definitely at Look up at the sky and take in Zrinjevac Park. This is where spring comes the spotless blue skies. Make it with the best games of tag, strolling, falling to the markets and see the stalls in love, resting and recharging. laden with wild edibles. Order an omelet with freshly picked asparagus. ZAGREB 2.0 Don’t forget your umbrella; rains If you’re a fan of vintage can come suddenly – and heavily. An app with inside intel fashion, head to the Don’t miss aimless wanders Zagreb City Museum around Zagreb’s verdant parks. othing beats an insider showing you (until May 19) to see the Don’t stay for just one day; you’ll Naround their city. Enter Zagreb Be There, fab exhibition Fashion miss too much spring fun. an app that comes as close as it gets. It’s free, and Clothing in Zagreb eel the fresh buzz, the re- expertly curated and fun to use, offering you in the 1960s. You’ll get Fawakening, the new spring a choice of five routes, with themes ranging a unique insight into the in your step. Breathe it all in. from street art and craft beer to great Croats. most transformative and Remember it. Take it home. From discovering Zagreb’s unique Solar prolific fashion era and TIP: Stroll around the Zagreb System to unearthing the city’s hidden gems learn about famous Croa- Botanical Garden for a fragrant that few locals know about, it lets you see the tian clothing brands. whiff of its 5,000 plant species real Zagreb. Just download on your iOS or @mgz.hr coming back to life. Android – and off you go. M. MIHALJEVIĆ/TZGZ FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS ZAGREB SHINES IN ALL ITS GLORY ove over museums, it’s all about light art this play with light, using buildings, monuments, squares, MMarch. For five days, March 20–24, Zagreb will promenades and even the night sky as their canvas. shimmer with its annual Festival of Lights. Now in its 23 light installations (including three from China) at third year – and extended by one day due to popular 20 locations all around the Upper Town (daily from demand – this stunning spectacle celebrates light 6pm to 11pm) will honor spring as the main theme, a art at its most creative and welcomes spring at its symbol of growth and awakening. Here are some of most luminous. Croatian and international artists the highlights. For more, go to festivalsvjetlazagreb.hr. 1. Magic Forest 4. Loves me, loves me not QUIZG Wander through the gor- Remember the old children’s game of geously lit up tunnel turned plucking petals and whispering: Loves Questions magical forest, with re- me, loves me not? See the fluttering 1 The Golden Bull, the splendent plant and animal lights of flower petals and find out if he kingly edict that shapes. or she loves you – or not. established Zagreb, was issued in: 2. Cloud Pergola (Mathema- 5. Aquastreet a) 1094 tized Cloud) Take in the magical sight of an ordinary b) 1242 On display in Croatia for the street turned into the rippling surface of c) 1306 first time after its presenta- water, symbolizing the source of all life.